Tag: hearts

A New Heart From Jesus

Carl Pollard

As fall’s soft breeze turns to unexpected warmth, we feel the stir of change. But pain and loss are felt by many. These tragedies of the past week show our world needs Jesus, badly. Without Him in our homes and families, we see brokenness. Ezekiel 36:26 gives hope: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel spoke to God’s people in exile, far from home because they turned to idols. Their hard hearts led to trouble (Ezekiel 36:16-20). But God promised mercy, a new heart and His Spirit to help them obey (v. 27). This promise comes true in Jesus and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-6). Charlie Kirk was a young father and husband, killed at a school event over political disagreement. This shows us what hard hearts can do. Yet, God can soften our hearts, filling them with His love. 

Change starts inside. We give our hearts to Jesus, and He makes them new. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”That’s our peace, when the world is knee deep in anger and despair, Jesus wins over death. No matter the pain, we can trust Him and stay steady.

Romans 12:21 tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil, like the violence that took innocent lives comes from Satan (John 10:10). But we’re called to love, forgive, and share Jesus’ hope. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus met Jesus and changed, giving generously, fixing wrongs. His new heart showed. We’re to shine like that, letting our lives point to God (Matthew 5:16).

Our country needs Jesus. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Without God, we get chaos. But 2 Chronicles 7:14 shows the way: pray, humble ourselves, seek God. Healing starts in our hearts and homes.

Come, Lord Jesus. Let’s let Him change our hearts, rest in His promises, and do good to fight evil. When we put Jesus in our families, we bring His hope to our nation, one new heart at a time

Are You Ready for the Devil’s Next Move?

Brent Pollard

Former President Donald Trump was the target of multiple assassination attempts in 2024. Politicians, pundits, and the public have discussed significant concerns about the Secret Service’s adherence to established protocols for protecting Trump after the incidents in July and September. In one case, the would-be assassin gained a tactical edge, and in another, a person armed with a rifle got dangerously close before being stopped. These apparent failures demonstrate that constant readiness and vigilance in risk mitigation are essential.

As concerning as these events may be, our spiritual environment is equally daunting. The Bible warns us about the ever-present spiritual dangers we face. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (NASB95) Just as the Secret Service must remain on constant alert to protect a leader’s life, Christians must also be spiritually vigilant, always prepared for the enemy’s attacks. The devil always seeks moments of weakness when we lower our guard. Ephesians 6.11 instructs us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (NASB95)

This call to vigilance extends to how we live each day. The devil does not announce his attacks; instead, he works subtly, sowing seeds of doubt, fear, and temptation. Jesus emphasized the importance of staying spiritually awake in Matthew 26.41, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NASB95) We must be as meticulous in our spiritual preparedness as the Secret Service is in its protocol for protecting leaders, ensuring that we are consistently grounded in prayer, Scripture, and fellowship.

Failure to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives can allow these subtle attacks to go unnoticed, much like a lapse in physical security could lead to danger. The Apostle Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 2.11 that we must be aware of the devil’s schemes to prevent him from gaining an advantage. Paul’s reminder here underscores the critical nature of spiritual readiness, not only for our own sake but also for the sake of those we love. It is essential to be prepared in both personal faith and guarding the souls of those around us.

Proverbs 4.23 reminds us to “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life” (NASB95). This vigilance applies to our actions and the thoughts and emotions we allow to take root. Like the Secret Service constantly monitors potential threats, we must deliberately guard our hearts, understanding that neglecting our spiritual defenses can lead to trouble.

In essence, physical or spiritual vigilance demands discipline and awareness. Just as the Secret Service protects leaders, we guard our hearts, remain alert, and be ready for daily spiritual challenges.

TURNING HEARTS

Neal Pollard

We often point to the wrong place on our bodies when we refer to the heart.  Frequently, when we mean the thoughts, the inner self, or the mind, we gesture toward our chests.  The more proper place to point is at our heads.  That’s where intentions, desires, and purposes originate.

Scripture sometimes mentions the heart “turning,” whether for good or bad.  For example:

  • Hearts could be turned away from God by human substitutes (Deut. 17:17; cf. 1 Ki. 11:2).
  • Hearts could be turned back to the world (Acts 7:39).
  • Hearts can be turned toward sexual immorality through seduction and temptation (Prov. 7:25).
  • Hearts can be turned back toward righteous conduct (Luke 1:17).
  • Hearts can be turned toward one another in unity (2 Sam. 19:14).

The Bible says similar things with different language, but the point is dramatic.  Hearts can change.  Negatively, they can grow dark, callused, hardened, and rebellious.  That appears to have happened through various influences in the current culture.  The hearts of men embrace and defend what would once have been widely rejected and condemned.  Such hearts have no tolerance for what God’s Word says on a variety of eternally important matters—abortion, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, pornography, true worship, the exclusive salvation through Christ, etc.  Positively, hearts can be softened, opened, and receptive, too.  The gospel is still the power of God (cf. Rom. 1:16).  The saving message of the cross still reaches hearts (1 Cor. 1:21).  Many hearts may ultimately be unreachable, but our task as Christians is to turn as many hearts to Christ as we can!  Hearts won’t be changed without our getting out the message.

All the while, each of us has a stewardship over our own hearts.  We cannot allow the darkness of sin to eclipse the Son.  We must keep our hearts sensitive and soft to the voice of God through Scripture, dependent on Him through prayer, and trusting in Him as He providentially leads us each day.  God through Moses promised blessings if His people were obedient to Him, “But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish” (Deut. 30:17-18a). May we take this to heart!